Structural post tools

ABSTRACT

Described herein are examples of systems and methods of a structural post tool. A structural post tool may include a system, including a pounder-fulcrum, a lever, and a post connector. The pounder-fulcrum may include a base plate and a tube comprising a base plate connection and a body extending to a lever connection end. The tube lever connection end may comprise a lever connection through hole. The lever may comprise a lever body including a first end and a second end. A fulcrum through hole may be disposed between the first end and the second end. The lever may be connected to the tube via a pivot mechanism insertably disposed through the lever connection through hole and the fulcrum through hole. The post connector may be configured to be connected to the lever proximate the first end of the lever.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/073,105 entitled “APPARATUSES FOR POUNDING, PULLING, AND TWISTING STRUCTURAL POSTS”, filed on 1 Sep. 2020. The entire contents of the above-listed application are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Posts are used in a variety of structural applications. Posts may be used to support fences, hold up signs, demarcate road boundaries and utilities, support guard rails, direct traffic pivot gates, and so forth. Installing a post may include burying at least a portion of the post beneath a surface of the ground. Burying the post may include digging a hole, placing the post in the hole, and filling the hole around the post so that the fill supports the post. Burying the post may include surrounding the post with a material such as dirt, rock, cement, and/or asphalt. Burying the post may include pressing, beating, and/or pounding the post into the ground without digging a hole. In some instances, a post may need to be removed from the ground or an orientation or the post may need to be adjusted after the post is secured in the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be understood more fully when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of various examples of structural post tools. The description is not meant to limit the structural post tools to the specific examples. Rather, the specific examples depicted and described are provided for explanation and understanding of structural post tools. Throughout the description the drawings may be referred to as drawings, figures, and/or FIGs.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a structural post tool, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of using a structural post tool to extract a structural post from the ground, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example of using a structural post tool to install a structural post into the ground, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1D illustrates an example of using a structural post tool to twist a structural post, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top-down perspective view of a post tool, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a pounder-fulcrum, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of a pounder-fulcrum showing a base plate, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a pivot mechanism, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a lever in an extended configuration, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a hook, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an extendable cuff, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a view showing a hook and the extendable cuff 108, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10A illustrates a front view of a post connector, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10B illustrates a rear view of a post connector, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10C illustrates a side view of the post connector of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10D illustrates a further side view of the post connector of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10E illustrates an isometric view of the post connector of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10F illustrates a further side view of the post connector of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11B illustrates an unpacked structural post tool, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11C illustrates an example of connecting a post connector to a structural post, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11D illustrates an example of connecting a post connector to a structural post, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of removing a structural post using a structural post tool, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Structural post tools as disclosed herein will become better understood through a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various embodiments of structural post tools. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity and clarity, all the contemplated variations may not be individually described in the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will understand how the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered and not depart in substance from the scope of the examples described herein.

A conventional tool for working with structural posts may include a heavy implement (e.g., a hammer or sledgehammer) for beating a post into the ground. Another conventional tool for working with structural posts may include a digging implement that digs the ground where a post is to be placed. The digging implement may also be used to remove the structural post from the ground. A pry bar with a hook may be used to manipulate the structural post as the post is set in the ground. Other conventional tools for working with structural posts include large hydraulic machines mounted to tractors. Such machines may work in similar ways but by machine operation.

In many circumstances where workers work with structural posts, it may be difficult and/or impossible to bring the several bulky and/or heavy tools required for such work. It may be necessary to install, manipulate, or remove a post in or from a location that is difficult to reach with machinery or even multiple tools or pieces of equipment.

Implementations of structural post tools as described herein may address at least some of the shortcomings described above. A structural post tool may include a tube with an open end, a closed end, and one or more handles attached to the tube. The tube may be, for example, a cylindrical tube, a square tube, a rectangular tube, a triangular tube, a polygonal tube, or an irregular tube. The tube may be tapered, undulated, or traverse an irregular path. The closed end of the tube may have a wider diameter than the tube. The open end of the tube may include a slot. A lever may be positioned in the slot and pivotally secured to the open end of the tube in the slot. A post connector (e.g., a hook and/or an extendable cuff) may be attached to an end of the lever. Structural post tools may be used to install (e.g., pound in), remove (e.g., pull out), or twist (e.g., reorient) structural posts.

Structural post tools may be modular, that is, various components of the post tool may be used jointly as a single unit or separately. Structural post tools may include elements that enable the post tool to be quickly and simply assembled and disassembled for transitioning between tasks and/or transporting the post tool. The post tool may be used to put a structural post into the ground, the remove the structural post from the ground, or to manipulate a structural post secured in the ground. The post tool may accordingly be a single tool that accomplishes a variety of tasks that previously required several different tools, could not be done at all, or could not previously be done as well and/or efficiently. Furthermore, the modularity of the post tool may enable the tool to be compactly transported. The post tool may enable a worker using the post tool to quickly and easily switch between different tasks that previously required different tools, instead using the same tool.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a structural post tool 100, according to an embodiment. The structural post tool 100 may be used by a user, for example, to drive in, extract, or twist a structural post relative to a ground surface. Some of the features in FIG. 1A may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 1A.

The structural post tool 100 may include a pounder-fulcrum 102, a lever 104, and a post connector including a hook 106 and/or an extendable cuff 108. The pounder-fulcrum 102 may include a tube 102 a, one or more handles 102 b, a base plate 102 c, and a slot 102 d. The tube 102 a may have an open end and a closed end. The tube 102 a may have a size and/or shape that fits around a post, such as a structural post that may be installed in the ground. The tube 102 a may have a diameter in a range from one inch to ten inches, from two inches to eight inches, from three inches to six inches, and/or from four inches to five inches. The tube 102 a may have a length in a range from six inches to thirty-six inches, from twelve inches to twenty-four inches, from eighteen inches to thirty inches, and/or from six inches to eighteen inches. The tube 102 a may be hollow with a wall that forms the shape of the tube 102 a. The wall of the tube 102 a may be uniform in thickness or may have a variable thickness. For example, a thickness of the wall that forms the closed end of the tube 102 a may be greater than the thickness of the sidewalls of the tube 102 a. The thickness of the wall may be in a range from 1/16 of an inch to ¾ of an inch. The tube 102 a may be a cylindrical tube, a square tube, a rectangular tube, a triangular tube, a polygonal tube, or an irregular tube. The tube 102 a may be formed of a hardened metallic material such as steel, a hard plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood such as oak, a metal-plated or plastic-coated wood, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned materials, and so forth.

The handle 102 b may extend along a length of the tube 102 a. The handle 102 b may wrap at least partially around the tube 102 a. The handle 102 b may extend diagonally along the tube 102 a. The handle 102 b may have a size and/or shape that may enable a worker to grasp the handle 102 b to utilize the pounder-fulcrum 102, such as for pounding a post into the ground. The handle 102 b may have a length and diameter sufficient that a human hand can grasp the handle 102 b comfortably while working with the pounder-fulcrum 102. The handle 102 b may have a length ranging from three inches to twelve inches. The handle 102 b may have a diameter ranging from ¾ of an inch to 1½ inches. The handle 102 b may be formed of a material sturdy enough to handle rugged and/or high-impact use. For example, the handle 102 b may be formed out of a hardened metallic material such as steel, a hard plastic such as PVC, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood such as oak, a metal-plated or plastic-coated wood, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned materials, and so forth. The handle 102 b may be made of a same material as the tube 102 a or a different material from the tube 102 a.

The base plate 102 c may be integrally formed with the tube 102 a such that the base plate 102 c is not readily removed from the tube 102 a. For example, the base plate 102 c may be welded onto the tube 102 a, adhered to the tube 102 a with an adhesive, and/or molded over the closed end of the tube 102 a. The base plate 102 c may be attached to the tube 102 a such that the base plate 102 c may be readily removed from the tube 102 a. For example, the base plate 102 c may be attached to the tube 102 a by one or more clips, clamps, and/or clasps. The base plate 102 c may be attached to the tube 102 a by a surface interface such as a hook-and-loop material. The base plate 102 c may be hooked to the tube 102 a. The base plate 102 c may include a sleeve that fits over the closed end or the open end of the tube 102 a. The base plate 102 c may be attached to the closed end of the tube 102 a. The base plate 102 c may be attached to the open end of the tube 102 a. The base plate 102 c may have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the tube 102 a. The base plate 102 c may have a diameter that is the same size as the diameter of the tube 102 a. The base plate 102 c may have a diameter in a range from two inch to twelve inches, from four inches to ten inches, from six inches to eight inches, and/or from three inches to eight inches. The base plate 102 c may be formed of the same material as the tube 102 a or a different material. For example, the base plate 102 c may be formed out of a hardened metallic material such as steel, a hard plastic such as PVC, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood such as oak, a metal-plated or plastic-coated wood, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned materials, and so forth.

The slot 102 d may be formed in and/or through the tube 102 a. The slot 102 d may be formed over the open end of the tube 102 a. For example, portions of the side walls of the tube 102 a adjacent to the open end of the tube 102 a may be cut out to form the slot 102 d. The slot 102 d may be formed adjacent to the closed end of the tube 102 a. For example, portions of the side walls of the tube 102 a adjacent to the closed end of the tube 102 a may be cut out to form the slot 102 d. The slot 102 d may be formed at any of a variety of positions along the length of the tube 102 a. The slot 102 d may be configured such that the lever 104 may pass through the slot approximately perpendicular to the length of the tube 102 a. The slot 102 d may have a width and/or height that enables the lever 104 to rotate about a pivot mechanism 102 e. The pivot mechanism 102 e may be perpendicular to the slot. The pivot mechanism 102 e may enable rotation of the lever 104. The slot 102 d may have a width that is approximately equal to the width of the lever 104. The slot 102 d may have a height (i.e., a dimension approximately parallel to the length of the tube 102 a) that is in a range from 1.5 times the width of the lever to three times the width of the lever, from 1.75 times the width of the lever to 2.5 times the width of the lever, or approximately two times the width of the lever.

The pivot mechanism 102 e may include a pin, a rod, a bolt, and so forth. The pivot mechanism 102 e may be a quick-release pin, a cotterless ball pin, a safety pin, a cotter pin and axel, a split pin and axel, a hairpin and axel, a steel ring pin, and so forth. The pivot mechanism 102 e may extend through and be secured to the tube 102 a. The pivot mechanism 102 e may enable the lever 104 to rotate about an axis through the pivot mechanism 102 e parallel to the length of the pivot mechanism 102 e. The pivot mechanism 102 e may be formed out of a hardened metallic material such as steel, a hard plastic such as PVC, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood such as oak, a metal-plated or plastic-coated wood, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned materials, and so forth.

The lever 104 may include a tube, a rod, and so forth. The lever 104 may be formed out of a hardened metallic material such as steel, a hard plastic such as PVC, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood such as oak, a metal-plated or plastic-coated wood, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned materials, and so forth. The lever 104 may attach to the tube 102 a by the pivot mechanism 102 e. For example, the lever 104 may include an opening approximately perpendicular to the length of the lever 104. As the lever sits in the slot 102 d, the pivot mechanism 102 e may extend through the side wall of the tube 102 a, through the opening in the lever 104, and through the opposing side wall of the tube 102 a. The lever 104 may be extendable. The lever 104 may be attached to the pounder-fulcrum 102 such that one side of the lever 104 extending from the pounder-fulcrum 102 is longer than the other side of the lever 104 extending from the pounder-fulcrum 102.

The tube 102 a may have another rigid tube and/or sleeve nested within the tube 102 a. The nested tube may be made of a similar material as the tube 102 a. The tube 102 a may include holes on opposing sides of the tube 102 a along the wall of the tube 102 a that forms the length of the tube 102 a. The holes may have a shape and size that matches a shape and/or size of a pin such as a hitch pin, a Reese pin, a clevis pin, and so forth. The nested tube may include corresponding holes. The tube 102 a may include one set of opposing holes and the nested tube may include 2 sets, 3, sets, 4, sets, 5 sets, 6 sets, and so forth. The nested tube may include one set of opposing holes and the tube 102 a may include 2 sets, 3, sets, 4, sets, 5 sets, 6 sets, and so forth. Accordingly, a position of the nested tube within the tube 102 a may be adjustable. The slot 102 d may be formed in the nested tube. The lever 104 may attach to the nested tube by the pivot mechanism 102 e.

The hook 106 may be attached to a first end of the lever 104. The hook 106 may be attached to the shorter side of the lever 104. The hook 106 may be attached to the longer side of the lever 104. The hook 106 may be integrated with the lever 104 such that the hook 106 and the lever 104 for a rigid structure. The hook 106 may be attached to the lever 104 such that the hook 106 may be adjustable on the lever 104. For example, the hook 106 may have a closed-loop end and an open hook end. The closed-loop end may be looped through an opening in the lever 104. The closed-loop end may be looped through a structure that is integrally secured to the lever 104. For example, a link in a chain may loop through the closed loop of the hook 106 and may be welded or otherwise bonded to the lever 104. The hook 106 may be formed out of a hardened metallic material such as steel, a hard plastic such as PVC, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood such as oak, a metal-plated or plastic-coated wood, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned materials, and so forth. The hook end of the hook 106 may have a shape that fits around at least a portion of the post so that the lever 104 may be used to twist the post, turn the post, straighten the post, and so forth.

The extendable cuff 108 may wrap around and/or latch on to the post. The extendable cuff 108 may have a shape similar to a shape of the post, such as approximately circular, approximately square, and so forth. The extendable cuff 108 may have an attachment end that attaches the extendable cuff 108 to the lever 104. The extendable cuff 108 may have a middle section that is configured in shape and size to fit around the post. The extendable cuff 108 may have a clasp end that includes a clasping, clamping, and/or closing mechanism. The clasp end of the extendable cuff 108 may open and close. The clasp end of the extendable cuff 108 may constrict the middle section of the extendable cuff 108, such as around the post. The extendable cuff 108 may be attached to the lever 104 by one or more links in a chain, by a rope, by a cable, and so forth. For example, a pin may extend through an end of the lever 104 approximately perpendicular to the length of the lever 104. The pin may also extend through a link in a chain 108 a that is attached to the attachment end of the extendable cuff 108. The extendable cuff 108 may be extendable from the lever 104 by adjusting which link in the chain 108 a is attached to the lever 104 by the pin. The extendable cuff 108 may be formed out of a hardened metallic material such as steel, a hard plastic such as PVC, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood such as oak, a metal-plated or plastic-coated wood, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned materials, and so forth. In one example, the chain 108 a may be rigid enough and have a high enough tensile strength to pull the post from the ground at any force the lever 104 is capable of exerting, while still being flexible enough to be stored and/or transported compactly.

The post tool may be used for one or more of a variety of tasks, such as pounding the post into the ground, pulling the post from the ground, and/or adjusting the post while the post is in the ground. To pound the post into the ground, the open end of the pounder-fulcrum 102 may be slid over the post. The closed end of the pounder-fulcrum 102 may be slammed against the top of the post. Momentum of the pounder-fulcrum 102 may transfer to the post, which may force the post into an area of ground beneath the post. The structural post tool 100 may be used to pound the post into the ground with the lever 104 attached to the tube 102 a (such as when the lever is attached to the tube 102 a approximate to the closed end of the tube 102 a) or removed from the tube 102 a. To remove the post from the ground, the extendable cuff 108 may be attached to the post. The base plate 102 c may be set against the ground. A force may be exerted downward on an opposite end of the lever 104 from the end attached to the post. The pounder-fulcrum 102 may act as a fulcrum, and the extendable cuff 108 may engage with the post, causing the post to be pulled upwards away from the ground. To adjust the post while it is in the ground, the hook 106 may be hooked onto a portion of the post and the lever 104 may be moved in a way that corresponds to how the post is to be adjusted.

The structural post tool 100 may be easier to use than previous solutions, may be easier to transport than previous solutions, and may be rapidly deployed and interchangeable between tasks. For example, in implementations where the pivot mechanism 102 e includes a quick-release mechanism, the structural post tool 100 can be converted from use as a pounder to use as a puller within seconds. The structural post tool 100 can be easily transported to rugged areas where larger equipment or a variety of tools would be impractical to transport and/or use, such as a hilly and/or mountainous area. For example, the lever 104 can be removed from the pounder-fulcrum 102 and the two can be transported approximately parallel to each other. The structural post tool 100 can be used for a variety of tasks without requiring the variety of tools, and the bulky transport of such tools, as in previous solutions. For example, whereas previous solutions would require a hook or crowbar, a bulky lever and fulcrum, and another hefty beating mechanism to set and/or otherwise manipulate a post, the structural post tool 100 may exhibit a smaller overall profile while still offering the same functionality and overall effectiveness.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of using a structural post tool to extract a structural post from the ground, according to an embodiment. The example of FIG. 1B includes a user fitting an extendable cuff over the structural post and applying a force towards the ground on an end of a lever. In this way, the user may utilize the structural post tool to provide a requisite force to extract the structural post from the ground.

FIG. 1C illustrates an example of using a structural post tool to install a structural post into the ground, according to an embodiment. The example of FIG. 1C includes a user fitting a tube of a pounder-fulcrum over a structural post for implementing impact force from the pounder-fulcrum to the structural post. In this way, the user may utilize the structural post tool to provide a requisite force to drive the structural post into the ground.

FIG. 1D illustrates an example of using a structural post tool to twist a structural post, according to an embodiment. The example of FIG. 1D illustrates a user fitting an extendable cuff and a hook, both connected to an end of a lever, to a structural post and rotating the lever about the structural post. In this way, the user may utilize the structural post tool to provide a requisite force to twist the structural post.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top-down perspective view of the structural post tool 100, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 2 may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 2.

A cotter pin 201 may be used to determine a length of a chain 202 extending from an end of the lever of the structural post tool 100. The cotter pin 201 may be removed to extend or retract the free length of the chain 202. When the chain 202 is at a desired free length, the cotter pin 201 may be reinstalled to lock the chain 202's free length.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the pounder-fulcrum 102, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 3 may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the pounder-fulcrum 102 showing the base plate 102 c, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 4 may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates the pivot mechanism 102 e, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 5 may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 5. The pounder-fulcrum may have multiple holes disposed in its sidewalls, which may provide for varying attachment heights of the pivot mechanism 102 e. Such varying attachment heights of the pivot mechanism 102 e on the pounder-fulcrum may, for example, provide for control over or optimization of the height of any end of the lever when in a resting position.

FIG. 6 illustrates the lever 104 in an extended configuration, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 6 may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 6. The lever 104 may include a primary section 104A and an extension section 104B. The extension section 104B may be, for example, normally stored within or folded with, the primary section 104A. The extension section 104B may be extracted or unfolded partially from the primary section 104A to provide for a longer lever 104. Thus, the longer lever 104 may provide for additional leverage resulting from an applied force at an end of the lever.

FIG. 7 illustrates the hook 106, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 7 may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 7. The hook may be used by a user to straighten, bend, or otherwise deform a structural post. The hook may be used in conjunction with an extendable cuff, to straighten, bend, or otherwise deform a structural post.

FIG. 8 illustrates the extendable cuff 108, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 8 may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 8. The extendable cuff 108 may be used to extract a post from a ground in which the post begins at least partially disposed. The extendable cuff may provide for transferring an applied force through the lever to the structural post.

FIG. 9 illustrates a view showing the hook 106 and the extendable cuff 108, according to an embodiment. Some of the features in FIG. 9 may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10A illustrates a front view of a post connector 1000, according to an embodiment. The post connector 1000 may provide for an ability of the structural post tool to connect to the structural post. Some of the features in FIG. 10A may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 10A.

The post connector 1000 may include a primary web 1001, which may be connected to vertical members 1002 and 1003. The vertical members may be connected to fingers 1004 and 1005, which may fit around a structural post. The primary web 1001, the vertical members 1002 and 1003, or the fingers 1004 and 1005 may comprise, for example, a metallic material such as steel, a hard plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood such as oak, a metal-plated or plastic-coated wood, combinations of two or more of the aforementioned materials, and so forth. In an embodiment, the post connector 1000 may include a hook 1006 to connect to a post to straighten or adjust the post. The hook 1006 may be part of the primary web 1001. The hook 1006 may connect or attach to a side, ridge, or portion of the post and be pushed or pulled to adjust the post.

FIG. 10B illustrates a rear view of a post connector 1000, according to an embodiment. The further view of the post connector may illustrate features and geometry of the post connector. Some of the features in FIG. 10B may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 10B.

FIG. 10C illustrates a side view of the post connector of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment. The further view of the post connector may illustrate features and geometry of the post connector. Some of the features in FIG. 10C may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 10C.

The extensions 1004 and 1005 may protrude substantially perpendicularly from the vertical member 1002. The extensions 1004 and 1005, together with the vertical member 1002, may form a coupling, which may be used to couple the post connector 1000 to a structure post. The extensions 1004 and 1005 may be offset at an angle from each other (e.g., they may be not substantially coplanar), as illustrated in FIG. 10C, so as to provide for an ability to utilize the post connector 1000 to straighten, bend, or otherwise deform a structural post.

FIG. 10D illustrates a further side view of the post connector of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment. The further view of the post connector may illustrate features and geometry of the post connector. Some of the features in FIG. 10D may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 10D.

FIG. 10E illustrates an isometric view of the post connector of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment. The further view of the post connector may illustrate features and geometry of the post connector. Some of the features in FIG. 10E may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 10E.

FIG. 10F illustrates a further side view of the post connector of FIG. 10A, according to an embodiment. The further view of the post connector may illustrate features and geometry of the post connector. Some of the features in FIG. 10F may be the same as or similar to some of the features in the other FIGs. described herein as noted by same and/or similar reference characters, unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, reference may be made to features shown in any of the other FIGs. described herein and not shown in FIG. 10F.

FIG. 11A illustrates a packed structural post tool 1100 a, according to an embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11A, a lever 1103 and extendable cuff 1104 of the structural post tool 1100 a may be at least partially disposed within a hollow of a tube 1102 of a pounder-fulcrum 1101, that is, the lever 1103, the post connector 1104, and/or other components of the structural post tool 1100 a may be stored fully or partially within the pounder-fulcrum for easy storage and transport of the structural post tool 1100 a.

The tube 1102 may have an open end, a closed end, and one or more handles attached to the tube to compose the pounder-fulcrum 1101. The tube 1102 may be, for example, a cylindrical tube, a square tube, a rectangular tube, a triangular tube, a polygonal tube, or an irregular tube. The tube may be tapered, undulated, or traverse an irregular path.

FIG. 11B illustrates an unpacked structural post tool 1100 b, according to an embodiment. The structural post tool 1100 b of FIG. 11B may implement a linkage 1105 to connect a post connector 1104 to a lever 1103 of the structural post tool 1100 b. The linkage 1105 may provide benefits of compactness and control for embodiments where more flexibility (e.g., that of a chain) is not included.

FIG. 11C illustrates an example of connecting a post connector to a structural post, according to an embodiment. The example of FIG. 11D may include a user connecting the post connector to the structural post by sliding the post connector around the structural post at a desired height on the structural post.

The post connector and the balance of the structural post tool may be used to adjust a height (e.g., a distance from an exposed end of the structural post to the ground surface) of the structural post or extract the structural post from the ground completely. To do so, the post connector attached to a proximate end of a lever of a structural post tool may be engaged with the structural post. A force may be applied toward the ground near the distal end of the lever of the structural post tool, thus exerting a force away from the ground at the proximate end of the lever and the post connector. The applied force may be varied to either adjust the height of the post or extract it from the ground completely.

FIG. 11D illustrates an example of connecting a post connector to a structural post, according to an embodiment. The example of FIG. 11D may include a user positioning a structural post tool proximate a structural post to prepare to connect the post connector to the structural post. The user may thus, using a post connector 1104 of a structural post tool, which may include offset extensions as illustrated in FIG. 10C, utilize the post connector 1104 to straighten, bend, twist, reorient, or otherwise deform a structural post.

The post connector and the balance of the structural post tool may be used to straighten, bend, twist, reorient, or otherwise deform a structural post. To do so, the post connector not attached to a proximate end of a lever of a structural post tool may be engaged with the structural post. A force may be exerted by a user on the post connector to apply a requisite force to the structural post, or a section thereof, to straighten, bend, twist, reorient, or otherwise deform the structural post.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1200 of removing a structural post using a structural post tool, according to an embodiment. The method 1200 may provide for an ability to extract a structural post from the ground.

At 1202, a structural post insertably disposed through a ground surface may be provided. At 1204, a system comprising a pounder-fulcrum and a lever may be provided. The pounder-fulcrum may comprise a base plate, a tube having a base plate connection end disposed on the base plate, the tube including a slot and a lever connection through hole at a lever connection end of the tube, and a handle disposed on an outer surface of the tube. The level may comprise a first end, a second end, and a fulcrum through hole disposed between the first end and the second end. The lever may be connected to the tube via a pivot mechanism proximate the lever connection end of the tube. The pivot mechanism may be insertably disposed through the lever connection through hole and the fulcrum through hole. The lever may be disposed at least partially within the slot. The lever may be extendable by telescopically extending a telescopic extension from the second end of the lever. The system may further comprise a post connector, which may be connected to the lever proximate the first end of the lever.

At 1206, the post connector may be connected to the structural post. At 1208, a force may be exerted toward the ground surface on the lever proximate the second end of the lever, thereby causing the system to extract the structural post from the ground surface.

A system may comprise a pounder-fulcrum, a lever, and a post connector. The pounder-fulcrum may comprise a base plate and a tube. A plurality of handles may be disposed on an outer surface of the tube. The tube may comprise a base plate connection and a body extending to a lever connection end. The tube lever connection end may comprise a slot configured to receive a lever. The tube lever connection end may comprise a first through-hole and a second through-hole configured to receive a pivot mechanism. The pounder-fulcrum may be configured to drive a post into a ground. The pounder-fulcrum may be configured to, in conjunction with the lever and a post connector, manipulate the post in the ground. The pounder-fulcrum may be configured to, in conjunction with the lever and the post connector, extract the post from the ground.

The lever may comprise a lever body and a fulcrum through-hole. The lever body may include a first end and a second end. The fulcrum through hole may be disposed between the first end and the second end. The lever may be configured to be connected to the tube via the pivot mechanism proximate the lever connection end of the tube. The pivot mechanism may be configured to be insertably disposed through the lever connection through hole and the fulcrum through hole. The lever may be configured to be disposed at least partially within the slot. The lever may be extendable by telescopically extending a telescopic extension from the second end of the lever. The lever may be configured to, in conjunction with the post connector, manipulate the post in the ground. The lever may be configured to, in conjunction with the pounder-fulcrum and the post connector, extract the post from the ground. The post connector may be configured to be connected to the lever proximate the first end of the lever, thereby configuring the system to manipulate a post in the ground.

The lever may be not attached to the pounder-fulcrum, and the pounder-fulcrum may thus be configured as a hammering instrument configured for use in driving the post into the ground. The lever may be attached to the pounder-fulcrum, and thus the pounder-fulcrum may be configured as a fulcrum base for the lever, thereby enabling the user to extract the post from the ground.

The base plate may comprise a hardened metallic material, a hard plastic, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood, a metal-plated wood, or a plastic-coated wood. The tube may comprise a hardened metallic material, a hard plastic, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood, a metal-plated wood, or a plastic-coated wood. The lever may comprise a hardened metallic material, a hard plastic, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood, a metal-plated wood, or a plastic-coated wood.

The tube may be a cylindrical tube, a square tube, a rectangular tube, a triangular tube, a polygonal tube, or an irregular tube. The tube may be configured to at least partially contain one or more of the lever or the post connector.

The lever body may comprise a tube or a rod. The lever may be extendable and thereby configured to, when extended, provide additional leverage when a force is exerted on the first end or the second end of the lever body. The lever may be extendable by telescopically extending a telescopic extension from an end of the lever. The lever may be thereby configured to, when the telescopic extension is extended, provide additional leverage when a force is exerted on the first end or the second end of the lever body.

The pivot mechanism may comprise a rod, a bolt, a quick-release pin, a cotterless ball pin, a safety pin, a cotter pin and axel, a split pin and axel, a hairpin and axel, or a steel ring pin. The pivot mechanism may be configured as a pivot point for the lever. The pivot mechanism may be configured to be removably disposed through the lever connection through hole and the fulcrum through hole such that the lever may be disconnected from the pounder-fulcrum when the lever is not in use.

The post connector may be connected to the lever proximate the first end of the lever via a chain or a linkage.

The post connector may include a hook configured to connect to a post, thereby enabling the system to be used to manipulate the post by twisting or bending the post in a ground in which the post is at least partially disposed. The post connector may include an extendable cuff configured to connect to the post, thereby enabling the system to be used to manipulate the post by extracting the post from the ground in which the post is at least partially disposed.

The base plate may be a cylindrical base plate. The tube may be a cylindrical tube. The base plate may have a base plate outer diameter greater than a tube outer diameter of the tube such that, upon an impact of the pounder-fulcrum with a post, an impact force of the impact on the base plate may have an area of distribution across the base plate greater than a cross-sectional area of the tube, thereby reducing a tendency of the tube to deform.

The post connector may comprise a vertical member, a primary web connected to the vertical member, and two fingers connected to the vertical member. The two fingers and the vertical member may be configured to engage with the post. The vertical member may have an angular profile section such that faces of the two fingers are not coplanar.

A method may comprise providing a post insertably disposed through a ground surface and a system comprising a pounder-fulcrum, a lever, and a post connector, which may be as described herein. The method may further comprise connecting the post connector to the post. The method may further comprise exerting a force toward a ground surface on the lever proximate the second end of the lever, thereby causing the system to extract the post from the ground surface. The method may further comprise removing the pivot mechanism, thereby detaching the lever from the pounder-fulcrum, and exerting a force substantially parallel to a ground surface on the lever proximate the second end of the lever, thereby causing the system to twist the post. The method may further comprise removing the pivot mechanism, thereby detaching the lever from the pounder-fulcrum, and impacting the post using the pounder-fulcrum, thereby driving the post into a ground.

A feature illustrated in one of the figures may be the same as or similar to a feature illustrated in another of the figures. Similarly, a feature described in connection with one of the figures may be the same as or similar to a feature described in connection with another of the figures. The same or similar features may be noted by the same or similar reference characters unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, the description of a particular figure may refer to a feature not shown in the particular figure. The feature may be illustrated in and/or further described in connection with another figure.

Elements of processes (i.e., methods) described herein may be executed in one or more ways such as by a human, by a processing device, by mechanisms operating automatically or under human control, and so forth. Additionally, although various elements of a process may be depicted in the figures in a particular order, the elements of the process may be performed in one or more different orders without departing from the substance and spirit of the disclosure herein.

The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems, components, methods and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several implementations. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some implementations may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present implementations. Thus, the specific details set forth above are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the scope of the present implementations.

Related elements in the examples and/or embodiments described herein may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity and clarity, related elements may not be redundantly explained. Instead, the use of a same, similar, and/or related element names and/or reference characters may cue the reader that an element with a given name and/or associated reference character may be similar to another related element with the same, similar, and/or related element name and/or reference character in an example explained elsewhere herein. Elements specific to a given example may be described regarding that particular example. A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that a given element need not be the same and/or similar to the specific portrayal of a related element in any given figure or example in order to share features of the related element.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the present implementations should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The foregoing disclosure encompasses multiple distinct examples with independent utility. While these examples have been disclosed in a particular form, the specific examples disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter disclosed herein includes novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above both explicitly and inherently. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims is to be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more of such elements.

As used herein “same” means sharing all features and “similar” means sharing a substantial number of features or sharing materially important features even if a substantial number of features are not shared. As used herein “may” should be interpreted in a permissive sense and should not be interpreted in an indefinite sense. Additionally, use of “is” regarding examples, elements, and/or features should be interpreted to be definite only regarding a specific example and should not be interpreted as definite regarding every example. Furthermore, references to “the disclosure” and/or “this disclosure” refer to the entirety of the writings of this document and the entirety of the accompanying illustrations, which extends to all the writings of each subsection of this document, including the Title, Background, Brief description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Claims, Abstract, and any other document and/or resource incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein regarding a list, “and” forms a group inclusive of all the listed elements. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and D is an example that includes A, includes B, includes C, and also includes D. As used herein regarding a list, “or” forms a list of elements, any of which may be included. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, or D is an example that includes any of the elements A, B, C, and D. Unless otherwise stated, an example including a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude other examples that include various combinations of some or all of the alternatively-inclusive elements. An example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements includes at least one element of the listed elements. However, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes all of the listed elements. And, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes a combination of some of the listed elements. As used herein regarding a list, “and/or” forms a list of elements inclusive alone or in any combination. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and/or D is an example that may include: A alone; A and B; A, B and C; A, B, C, and D; and so forth. The bounds of an “and/or” list are defined by the complete set of combinations and permutations for the list.

Where multiples of a particular element are shown in a FIG., and where it is clear that the element is duplicated throughout the FIG., only one label may be provided for the element, despite multiple instances of the element being present in the FIG. Accordingly, other instances in the FIG. of the element having identical or similar structure and/or function may not have been redundantly labeled. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize based on the disclosure herein redundant and/or duplicated elements of the same FIG. Despite this, redundant labeling may be included where helpful in clarifying the structure of the depicted examples.

The Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed examples that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Examples embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same example or a different example and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the examples described herein. 

1. A system, comprising: a pounder-fulcrum, comprising: a base plate; a tube comprising a base plate connection and a body extending to a lever connection end, wherein the lever connection end comprises: a slot configured to receive a lever; a first through hole and a second through hole configured to receive a pivot mechanism; a plurality of handles disposed on an outer surface of the tube; wherein the pounder-fulcrum is configured to: drive a post into a ground; in conjunction with the lever and a post connector, manipulate the post in the ground; or in conjunction with the lever and the post connector, extract the post from the ground; the lever, comprising: a lever body including a first end and a second end; and a fulcrum through hole disposed between the first end and the second end; wherein: the lever is configured to be connected to the tube via the pivot mechanism proximate the lever connection end of the tube; the pivot mechanism is configured to be insertably disposed through the first through hole, the second through hole, and the fulcrum through hole; the lever is configured to be disposed at least partially within the slot; and the lever is extendable by telescopically extending a telescopic extension from the second end of the lever; and wherein the lever is configured to: in conjunction with the post connector, manipulate the post in the ground; or in conjunction with the pounder-fulcrum and the post connector, extract the post from the ground; and the post connector configured to be connected to the lever proximate the first end of the lever, thereby configuring the system to manipulate a post in the ground.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the lever is not attached to the pounder-fulcrum, and the pounder-fulcrum is configured as a hammering instrument configured for use in driving the post into the ground; or the lever is attached to the pounder-fulcrum, and the pounder-fulcrum is configured as a fulcrum base for the lever, thereby enabling the user to extract the post from the ground.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein: the base plate comprises a hardened metallic material, a hard plastic, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood, a metal-plated wood, or a plastic-coated wood; the tube comprises a hardened metallic material, a hard plastic, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood, a metal-plated wood, or a plastic-coated wood; and the lever comprises a hardened metallic material, a hard plastic, a metal-plated plastic, a rigid wood, a metal-plated wood, or a plastic-coated wood.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: the tube is a cylindrical tube, a square tube, a rectangular tube, a triangular tube, a polygonal tube, or an irregular tube; and the tube is configured to at least partially contain one or more of the lever or the post connector.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the lever body comprises a tube or a rod; and the lever is extendable and thereby configured to, when extended, provide additional leverage when a force is exerted on the first end or the second end of the lever body.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein: the pivot mechanism comprises a rod, a bolt, a quick-release pin, a cotterless ball pin, a safety pin, a cotter pin and axel, a split pin and axel, a hairpin and axel, or a steel ring pin; the pivot mechanism is configured as a pivot point for the lever; and the pivot mechanism is configured to be removably disposed through the lever connection through hole and the fulcrum through hole such that the lever may be disconnected from the pounder-fulcrum when the lever is not in use.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the post connector is connected to the lever proximate the first end of the lever via a chain or a linkage.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the post connector includes: a hook configured to connect to a post, thereby enabling the system to be used to manipulate the post by twisting or bending the post in a ground in which the post is at least partially disposed; or an extendable cuff configured to connect to the post, thereby enabling the system to be used to manipulate the post by extracting the post from the ground in which the post is at least partially disposed.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein: the base plate is a cylindrical base plate; the tube is a cylindrical tube; and the base plate has a base plate outer diameter greater than a tube outer diameter of the tube such that, upon an impact of the pounder-fulcrum with a post, an impact force of the impact on the base plate has an area of distribution across the base plate greater than a cross-sectional area of the tube, thereby reducing a tendency of the tube to deform.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the post connector comprises: a vertical member; a primary web connected to the vertical member; two fingers connected to the vertical member; and wherein the two fingers and the vertical member are configured to engage with the post.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the vertical member has an angular profile section such that faces of the two fingers are not coplanar.
 12. A method, comprising: providing a post insertably disposed through a ground surface; providing a system, comprising: a pounder-fulcrum, comprising: a base plate; a tube comprising a base plate connection and a body extending to a lever connection end, wherein the tube lever connection end comprises a slot configured to receive a lever and a lever connection through hole; the lever, comprising: a lever body including a first end and a second end; and a fulcrum through hole disposed between the first end and the second end; wherein the lever is connected to the tube via a pivot mechanism insertably disposed through the lever connection through hole and the fulcrum through hole; and wherein the lever is configured to be disposed at least partially within the slot; and a post connector configured to be connected to the lever proximate the first end of the lever; and connecting the post connector to the post.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising exerting a force toward the ground surface on the lever proximate the second end of the lever, thereby causing the system to extract the post from the ground surface.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: removing the pivot mechanism, thereby detaching the lever from the pounder-fulcrum; and exerting a force substantially parallel to the ground surface on the lever proximate the second end of the lever, thereby causing the system to twist the post.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: removing the pivot mechanism, thereby detaching the lever from the pounder-fulcrum; and impacting the post using the pounder-fulcrum, thereby driving the post into a ground.
 16. A system, comprising: a pounder-fulcrum, comprising: a base plate; a tube comprising a base plate connection and a body extending to a lever connection end, wherein the tube lever connection end comprises a slot configured to receive a lever and a lever connection through hole; the lever, comprising: a lever body including a first end and a second end; and a fulcrum through hole disposed between the first end and the second end; wherein the lever is connected to the tube via a pivot mechanism insertably disposed through the lever connection through hole and the fulcrum through hole; and wherein the lever is configured to be disposed at least partially within the slot; and a post connector configured to be connected to the lever proximate the first end of the lever.
 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a handle disposed on an outer surface of the tube.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the lever is extendable by telescopically extending a telescopic extension from an end of the lever and the lever is thereby configured to, when the telescopic extension is extended, provide additional leverage when a force is exerted on the first end or the second end of the lever body.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the pivot mechanism comprises a rod, a bolt, a quick-release pin, a cotterless ball pin, a safety pin, a cotter pin and axel, a split pin and axel, a hairpin and axel, or a steel ring pin.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the post connector is connected to the lever via a chain or a linkage. 